The Alfa Romeo GTV Is Back With More Than 600 Horsepower

[DACH]

https://jalopnik.com/the-alfa-romeo-gtv-is-back-with-more-than-600-horsepowe-1826477782

 

Alfa Romeo’s GTV is a storied nameplate if there ever was one. The GTV, which stands for “Gran Turismo Veloce,” or Fast Grand Touring, has been an Alfa Spider, an Alfa Giulia, an Alfa Alfetta, and a Spider again. And now it’s back with a lot of power.

If you can’t read the powerpoint slide helpfully provided to everyone from Alfa’s parent company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, it’s set to have a 50/50 weight distribution; more than 600 horsepower from “E-Boost,” or what’s more than likely a hybrid setup, all-wheel-drive, and “four-passenger seating.”

Or, in other words, it’s going to be a coupe. In case you couldn’t tell already from the faint single line on the side of the car, implying one (1) door per side. You know. Like a coupe. With two doors. That’s what coupes are.

 

In fact, it looks remarkably like an Alfa Giulia coupe, and if we’re doing our math properly, it all sort of implies there’s going to be an Alfa GT as well, in addition to the GTV. Alfa’s got all the engines for a more down-market GT coupe to complement the GTV, complete with a range of four- and six-cylinder engines, after all. And we’ve got no problems with an Alfa Giulia coupe, seeing as how the Giulia is one of the best cars on sale today, when it works. Already we’re seeing this thing aimed at the BMW 8 Series and Polestar One. Not that we’re complaining. More on FCA’s plan as we get it.

 

 

Alfa Romeo brings back 8C and GTV, and adds two more SUVs

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/alfa-romeo-brings-back-8c-and-gtv-and-adds-two-more-suvs

 

Alfa Romeo will reintroduce two iconic models, the 8C and GTV, by 2022 as part of a bold five-year strategy announced today.

It will also launch a new mid-sized SUV and a large SUV that sit, respectively, below and above the Stelvio, which has brought huge success to Alfa Romeo since launching last year.

The Italian brand also confirmed long-wheelbase versions of the Giulia and Stelvio. LWB variants are a growing trend, thanks largely to demand in China, where chauffeur-driven cars are popular. 

The strategy should mean 400,000 sales for Alfa Romeo by 2022, said brand boss Timothy Kuniskis. This year's sales are projected at 170,000 units.

The new additions coming by 2022 will almost double Alfa Romeo's line-up, bringing the range to nine models. Currently, it consists of the Giulia, Giulietta, Stelvio, 4C Spider and Mito. The Mito had been highly tipped to be axed, and although there was no mention of it in today's announcement, a product plan slide suggested that the model will be phased out by 2022.

The new 8C will be a twin-turbo mid-engined sports car with an electrified front axle delivering at least 700bhp with a 0-62mph time of less than three seconds.

The last time we saw the 8C nameplate was during 2007-2010 with the 8C Competizione, which was a front-engined model that used a 4.7-litre Ferrari-derived V8 and achieved the benchmark sprint in 4.2sec.

Meanwhile, the GTV — essentially a coupé version of the well-received Giulia — will have more than 600bhp with E-Boost technology, all-wheel drive torque vectoring, 50/50 weight distribution and room for four occupants. The last GTV went off sale in 2005.

Talking about its plans to relaunch the 8C and GTV sports cars, Kuniskis said: "Alfa will deliver the sports car of each segment it enters. We know our future depends on staying true to our sports car roots; cars designed to represent the brand’s position and inspire the next generation of customers. 

“The 8C is a true supercar with a mid-engined, carbonfibre monocoque chassis and electrified AWD system. It’s a car that will be born for the track here at Bolocco.

“We also want a sports car as attainable as it is aspirational, so we’re bringing back one of the most fabled names in Alfa history, the GTV. The Quadrofoglio model will deliver more than 600hp."

On the two new SUVS, Kuniskis said: "The timing of our expansion plans couldn’t be more optimum. The premium market is growing and there are considerable opportunities int hat segment.

“There are two key segments: compact UV [utility vehicle] and full-sized UV. These segments represent 81% of global premium market growth. We will ensure each new product embraces our brand principles.

“What we’ve learned in last four years is that when we stay true to Alfa DNA, we can stand out in any segment, as we did with Stelvio.”

He added that, by 2022, Alfa Romeo will compete in more than 70% of the premium industry: “We will launch the sports cars of every segment.”

As with all FCA brands, Alfa is phasing out diesel engines from its range, and is launching a range of mild hybrids, hybrids and plug-in hybrids. It aims to offer an electrified version of every model in its range by 2022, including six PHEVs. Alfa’s PHEV system will allow cars to complete around 31 miles on pure electric power, and offer 0-62mph times in the mid-4sec area. 

All of its models will also offer level two or three autonomous driver assistance systems.

Talking of the brand's struggles, FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne said: "We got two things wrong - we underestimated the industrial complexity of launching a brand as complex as Alfa. This caused delays in launch, additional cost, and slowed down the development portfolio. We also underestimated the reaction of Germans to the reintroduction of Alfa." 

"Would I do it again? Not in the same way, but certainly would do it again."

 

 

[DACH]

What if the Alfa Romeo 8C looks like this?

 

https://www.motor1.com/news/243884/alfa-romeo-8c-render/

 

Our digital design exercise is more than just a shot in the dark as it's based on the official teaser image.

Sergio Marchionne’s five-year plan for FCA is putting Alfa Romeo and Maserati at the forefront with a slew of new models for both Italian legendary marques. While the company with the trident logo will finally be getting the Alfieri Coupe & Convertible and a sub-Levante SUV, Alfa will expand its portfolio to include two new crossovers, the GTV (a.k.a. Giulia Coupe) we’ve already rendered , and this – the 8C.

Further enhancing the company’s focus on sports cars, the reborn 8C was teased by FCA’s boss last week when Alfa Romeo’s 2018-2022 roadmap was officially revealed. Using that shadowy image showing the red silhouette of the 8C, we’ve decided to render the entire side profile of the mid-engined supercar.

The low-slung coupe looked very promising in the official teaser photo and we can only hope the real deal will be just as nice as our render attempting to see into the future of Alfa Romeo’s halo model. It has some big shoes to fill in terms of exterior styling taking into account the 2007 8C Competizione is arguably one of the most beautiful production cars ever made. Not only that, but the original 1931 model is also a stunning automobile.

Some juicy specs were disclosed to go along with the fetching teaser image, with Alfa Romeo promising the high-performance machine will adopt a mid-engined layout with a biturbo conventional engine. There’s going to be an electrified front axle, thus turning the resurrected 8C into a hybrid with a combined output of more than 700 horsepower. That’ll be enough for a sprint to 62 mph (100 kph) in less than 3 seconds.

No word about how much it will weigh, but considering it will adopt a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, it’s safe to say it’s going to be a lightweight car. Sure, the hybrid component will add some fat, but that won’t be much of an issue factoring in the 8C will be roughly just as quick in the sprint from a standstill as the mighty LaFerrari.

As to when we’ll get to see it, the sooner the better, of course. An exact launch date has not been disclosed, but we know for sure it will be out in 2022 at the latest.

 

[Mockngbrd]

Another oversized, overweight, overpowered, overpriced big numbers type of car again. Totally not a GTV in spirit imo, just riding on the legacy brand.

Edited June 6, 2018 by Mockngbrd